A rapid micromethod for the functional evaluation of vitamin E status in rats with the Fragiligraph

Abstract

A preliminary report of this work has appeared (42). A rapid microassay for functional vitamin E status in the rat has been developed using small amounts of whole blood. A peroxide-generating system such as glucose oxidase and glucose or ascorbic acid and sodium azide is coupled with osmotic hemolysis of erythrocytes in the Fragiligraph. Values obtained for displacement of the fragiligram in tocopherol deficiency are correlated with plasma tocopherol values and with hemolysis values obtained with dialuric acid. As rats fed a tocopherol-deficient diet became more depleted in tocopherol, a progressively larger displacement of the fragiligram was observed. This technique is particularly applicable in laboratory situations requiring a rapid assay for vitamin E status because it requires only 50 μl of peripheral blood and can be completed in approximately half an hour.